Cajun Country

Zydeco in Breaux Bridge, the history of slavery at Whitney Plantation and Tabasco on Avery Island.

Distance: 293 km (182 mi)
Driving: 3 h 15 min
Suggested days: 3
Stops: 5
States: LA
Updated: May 18, 2026

At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 293 km (182 mi) with 5 stops, from New Orleans to Avery Island. About 3 h 15 min of driving in total.

More road trips in Louisiana · More road trips from New Orleans

Route description

From New Orleans, head west along the Mississippi on LA-18, the River Road, to Whitney Plantation in Wallace. The museum tells the history of slavery through the lives of the people enslaved there, with memorials, original buildings and first-person accounts. Allow a few hours for the visit.

I-10 then heads west across the Atchafalaya Basin on a bridge of about 18 miles over swamps and bayous, one of the longest in the country. Lafayette is the center of Cajun and Creole culture, and Vermilionville, a living history museum, recreates an Acadian village. Breaux Bridge, next door, calls itself the crawfish capital of the world, and zydeco and Cajun music are played in local dance halls.

South of Lafayette, near New Iberia, Avery Island is a salt dome where Tabasco sauce has been made since 1868. You can visit the factory and the Jungle Gardens, where egrets nest in large numbers in spring. A small toll is charged to enter the island.

Spring, during crawfish season, and fall are the best times to visit, while summer is hot and humid, and hurricane season runs from June to November. Swamp tours in the Atchafalaya Basin are a good addition. Many dance halls and music venues are busiest on weekends.

Stop-by-stop itinerary

In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.

1

New Orleans
LA
Start
2

Whitney Plantation
HistoryWallace, LA
A museum that tells the story of slavery through the lives of the people enslaved there.
68 km
3

Lafayette
LA
160 km
4

Breaux Bridge
LA
15 km
5

Avery Island
FoodNew Iberia, LA
A salt dome where Tabasco sauce has been made since 1868, with a garden full of egrets.
49 km

Suggested stages and overnight stops

3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.

Day 1: New Orleans → Whitney Plantation · 42 mi · 0 h 45 minOvernight nearby, for example: Cajun On The Bayou (19 mi).
Day 2: Whitney Plantation → Lafayette · 99 mi · 1 h 47 minOvernight nearby, for example: Parkside RV Park (8 mi); Isle of Iberia (17 mi).
Day 3: Lafayette → Avery Island · 40 mi · 0 h 43 minOn the way: Breaux Bridge.Overnight nearby, for example: Love's RV Hookup (6 mi); Isle of Iberia (9 mi).

Best time to go

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. Hot in June–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.

Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons

FAQs

How long is Cajun Country?

3-day road trip of about 293 km (182 mi) with 5 stops, from New Orleans to Avery Island. About 3 h 15 min of driving in total.

How many days do you need for Cajun Country?

We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 15 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

Where does Cajun Country start and end?

It starts in New Orleans and ends in Avery Island.

Which states does Cajun Country pass through?

Louisiana.

Where can you camp along Cajun Country?

OpenStreetMap lists 32 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Bayou Segnette State Park Campground, Airline Trailers of Kenner and Parkside RV Park.

When is the best time for Cajun Country?

The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)